STUDI KUALITATIF-DESKRIPTIF ATAS PERGESERAN PARADIGMA KRISTOLOGI JOHN HICK

Abstract

Abstract : This article examines the paradigm shift in the christological thought of John Hick (1922–2012), tracing his movement from an early orthodox-evangelical christology toward a mature pluralistic christology developed between the 1970s and 1990s. Employing a qualitative-descriptive method grounded in library research, this study traces the chronological and thematic development of Hick's thought, particularly from his editorial role in The Myth of God Incarnate to his mature formulations in An Interpretation of Religion  and The Metaphor of God Incarnate . Data were drawn from Hick's primary works and secondary literature, including critical responses from theologians such as Gerald O'Collins, Harold Netland, Alister McGrath, and Gavin D'Costa, and analyzed through content analysis to identify patterns of argumentation and points of conceptual transition. The findings show that Hick's christological shift moved through three principal stages: (1) from literal to metaphorical incarnation, (2) from an exclusive claim of salvation in Christ to a pluralistic model centered on "the Real," and (3) from an ontological christology to a functional-ethical christology that presents Jesus as a moral exemplar rather than the literal incarnation of God. The study concludes that Hick's paradigm shift carries significant consequences for orthodox Christian theology, particularly regarding the doctrines of incarnation, the Trinity, and the uniqueness of Christ's redemptive work, and therefore remains a relevant subject of critical theological reflection amid religiously plural societies

Abstrak : Artikel ini menyelidiki pergeseran paradigma kristologis dalam pemikiran John Hick (1922–2012), dari posisi kristologi ortodoks-evangelikal pada masa awal karier akademiknya menuju kristologi pluralistis yang matang dalam karya-karyanya di era 1970-an hingga 1990-an. Dengan menggunakan pendekatan kualitatif-deskriptif berbasis studi pustaka (library research), penelitian ini menelusuri tahapan perkembangan pemikiran Hick secara kronologis-tematik, khususnya sejak keterlibatannya dalam penyuntingan The Myth of God Incarnate hingga rumusan matang dalam An Interpretation of Religion  dan The Metaphor of God Incarnate . Data dikumpulkan dari karya-karya primer Hick serta literatur sekunder berupa tanggapan teolog seperti Gerald O'Collins, Harold Netland, Alister McGrath, dan Gavin D'Costa, kemudian dianalisis melalui teknik analisis isi (content analysis) untuk mengidentifikasi argumentasi dan pergesearan konseptual. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa pergeseran kristologi Hick bergerak melalui tiga tahap utama: (1) dari inkarnasi literal menuju inkarnasi metaforis, (2) dari klaim ketunggalan keselamatan dalam Kristus menuju model pluralisme religius berpusat , dan (3) dari kristologi ontologis menuju kristologi fungsional-etis yang menempatkan Yesus sebagai teladan moral dan bukan sebagai inkarnasi literal Allah. Penelitian ini menyimpulkan bahwa pergeseran paradigma Hick memiliki konsekuensi signifikan bagi teologi Kristen ortodoks, khususnya pada doktrin inkarnasi, Trinitas, dan keunikan karya penyelamatan Kristus, sehingga tetap relevan menjadi bahan refleksi kritis bagi teologi kontemporer di tengah masyarakat majemuk agama